Raj. CHO -2020: Which disease is caused by Vitamin C deficiency?

Raj. CHO -2020

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2020

Explanation

Scurvy is the classic disease caused by a severe deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Vitamin C is vital for the synthesis of collagen, a protein essential for the health of connective tissues, including skin, blood vessels, and gums.
Without adequate Vitamin C, collagen formation is impaired, leading to fragile blood vessels and tissues, which manifests as bleeding gums, easy bruising, and poor wound healing.
Dietary sources rich in Vitamin C include citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), amla (Indian gooseberry), guava, kiwi, and green leafy vegetables.

Option A: Night Blindness is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A (retinol), not Vitamin C. Vitamin A is crucial for vision, particularly in low light.
Option C: Rickets is a bone disorder in children caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization.
Option D: Beri-beri is a disease caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B1 (thiamine). Thiamine is critical for carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart matching vitamins (A, B1, C, D) to their corresponding deficiency diseases (Night Blindness, Beri-beri, Scurvy, Rickets) and key symptoms.
Visual 2: Image: A clinical photograph showing the characteristic swollen and bleeding gums seen in a patient with scurvy.
Visual 3: Diagram: A flowchart illustrating the role of Vitamin C in collagen synthesis and how its deficiency leads to the symptoms of scurvy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing The question tests the knowledge of diseases caused by specific vitamin deficiencies helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses should assess patients for signs of scurvy, especially those at risk, such as individuals with poor nutrition, alcoholism, or restrictive diets. Key signs to watch for are bleeding gums, petechiae (small red/purple spots on the skin), and slow-healing wounds.
Patient education is a key nursing role. Advise patients on the importance of a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables to prevent vitamin deficiencies. For post-operative patients, ensuring adequate Vitamin C intake is crucial for promoting wound healing.
What if? If a patient presents with neurological symptoms like confusion, memory loss, and peripheral neuropathy, the nurse should consider a Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency (Beri-beri) or Vitamin B12 deficiency, especially if the patient has a history of alcoholism or malnutrition, rather than a Vitamin C deficiency.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to identify the core concept being tested, which is the disease associated with 'Vitamin C deficiency'.
Next, recall or deduce the specific disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C. The key association to remember is Vitamin C with Scurvy.
Evaluate each option provided: Night Blindness (Vitamin A), Scurvy (Vitamin C), Rickets (Vitamin D), and Beri-beri (Vitamin B1).
Match your recalled knowledge with the options. You will find that 'Scurvy' is the correct match for Vitamin C deficiency.
Confirm your answer by mentally eliminating the other options based on their known causes.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The question tests the knowledge of diseases caused by specific vitamin deficiencies.
Stem keywords: disease, Vitamin C, deficiency
Lead-in keywords: Which
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & Dietetics 2nd Edition Harbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 26-464